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Tag Archives: thrifting

Happy Labor Day everyone!! I plan to watch movies with the hubby, do a bit of blog hopping, and possibly some thrifting today. But before I do, I MUST introduce to you yet another Thrifty Friend of mine.

Brandhyze Stanley, also known as Frugal-nomics, is someone I definitely admire. When it comes to thrifting and DIY, she’s got it going on! Not only is Brandhyze super creative with her DIY creations, she’s also been blessed with several other talents such as acting and hosting, just to name a few. Check out some of her thrifty threads and get to know her just a bit more. Be sure to check out her blog too. Enjoy!

At first I was just curious about it and went to check it out to see what it’s all about. I found a few cute things back then….but it wasn’t until I moved to New York that I started finding high end designer stuff for pennies….that I became HOOKED!

4. How often do you thrift?

A few times a month.

Dress and sweater, about .60 cents each

5. What are some of your favorite Thrift Stores in your area?

I love Housing Works, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Buffalo Exchange.

6. What would you say to someone who wants to try thrifting but has no idea where to start?

Go on a day where you have some time to peruse, and travel light — no heavy bags or coats, or you are less likely to stay. This is not the time to be best dressed, wear comfortable clothes — no heels, or your best duds. Also start small to warm up to it….look at the jewelry, or shoes, because just jumping in sometimes intimidates beginners and they feel overwhelmed. Here’s an article I wrote for Manillaabout it: https://www.manilla.com/blog/12-thrift-store-shopping-tips-from-a-pro/

7. What items do you look for most when you thrift? Clothing, Accessories, Home Decor or a little bit of everything?

Mostly clothes, but I do come across unique accessories and home goods from time to time.

8. Are there certain items you will not thrift? If so, what?

Yes. No throw pillows, blankets….or things like that. You have to be super careful because of things like the bed bug epidemic. No undergarments (even if new), for obvious reasons.

Jeans $40Top AND jacket .60 cents each

9. Your also an avid DIYer. What inspires your DIY creations?

Celebrities, the runway, real life. It comes from all over. I spot. I love it. I recreate it! I saw Beyonce’s Super Bowl costume, and was IN LOVE — I had to recreate it. Or, I saw this backless crop top on Rihanna that caught my eye, and it is such a memorable piece in my wardrobe now.

So here we are starting the 2nd week of the new year! I hope all of you are taking strides in achieving your goals for 2013 🙂

One of my blog goals for this year was to start uploading videos on my YouTube Channel. Well, I uploded my first video this weekend and I am SUPER EXCITED for you all to see! Of course I love thrifting so it was only right that my first post be a thrifting haul.

I’ve decided to set aside a certain amount of money each month for thrifting. This month, I did not have an amount set but I still wanted to share my finds. From here on out when I do a haul, I will include how much I plan(ned) to spend, my receipts and the links to the stores I shopped at (if they’re available). Setting aside a certain amount for thrfiting is something I plan to include in my budget for 2013 because let’s be honest; thrifting is GREAT but it can become just as expensive as shopping at regular stores if you do it so often. So in 2013, you can be sure to see at least 1 thrift haul a month on my channel and maybe a 2nd video geared towards an outfit or something else. I haven’t decided yet but I’ll figure it out.

Below is the video so be sure to watch and subscribe HERE! If you have ideas on ways I can improve my videos, let me know. I’m always open to (kind & constructive) suggestions. Thanks to all those who’ve already watched the video. As usual, I appreciate the support.

With 2012 quickly coming to an end, I’ve had several days to sit and reflect on the ups and downs of this year and I am so thankful that my good days have outweighed my bad days. My life has come full circle in a way. It’s funny how life works. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something happens and it makes you realize that you have NO idea what you’re doing, lol. If it wasn’t for faith and prayer, I’d still be lost. But I am grateful that God has allowed me to see and understand what my purpose in life is. While I still don’t have all the answers, I have more than I did before. And I am ready to face 2013 with a smile on my face, for I know that God has GREAT things in store for me!

One “GREAT thing” that I’m estaic about is launching my upcoming online shop. As most of you know, I’ve been selling (vintage and non vintage) items via-my blog page. Well come mid-January, my online shop will be up and running! I’ve had so many great supporters throughout this process and I hope you all will continue to support my vision for Nic’s Picksin 2013. I plan to have even more unique, one of a kind items and I’m also in the process of planning a Spring Pop Up Shop to introduce even more items!

I usually write down my goals for the year in my journal, which I will finish doing this weekend, but the one thing I want to post here are my goals for my blog. I have many, but here are 5 that I want to share.

1. Continue to blog more consistently (what blogger doesn’t want to work on this) 😉

2. Continue to blog with a purpose!

3. Expand my blogging by staring my YouTube channel.

4. Continue to network and attend even more blogging events.

5. Continue to connect with my readers…I am so thankful for you all!

God is working through me and I plan to continue to please Him by living my purpose driven life. With that being said, enjoy a few of my favorite looks I’ve posted in 2012. I hope you all have a blessed and prosperous New Year! I look forward to connecting with you all in 2013…XO!

~Whitney

PS All but one of these looks includes a thrifted item. Some are head to toe thrift. Go me! 😉

Hey friends! Welcome to Thrifty Thursday on the blog! I’ve complied a few of my favorite thrifted jewelry items (and shoes) below. I’ve been revamping my jewelry and accessories lately and I’ve picked up a few pair of earrings in the process. I’ve also been an eBay junky lately too. I am a huge fan of bidding on earrings, necklaces and other accessories and my most recent pair are pictured below. Both were less than $1.50. Yup! I find deals just about everywhere 😉

I’m also looking to spice up my shoe selection. If you don’t know by now, I’m a HUGE fan of flats. I wear them about 85% of the time. I’m trying to get back in the swing of heels and wedges because after graduation (in May), it’s all about working full time and I want to “dress the part”. Of course, I look for comfort when looking for heels and the two that I thrifted a few weeks ago are pictured below. The booties are very comfortable and can be worn all year. The animal print heels are high but surprisingly, they’re not that bad to walk in. I’ve also been loving motorcycle boots lately. I’m on a hunt for a nice pair so suggestions welcome!

All in all, I’ve done a pretty good job of thrifting lately. I enter the store with a list of what I need and once I check the item off, I’m on to the next. I’ve been a very focused thrfiter *patting myself on the back*. So much so that I’m thinking of doing a wardrobe challenge involving thrifting for the New Year. More info on that later 😉

So which pair of earrings or shoes from my recent thrift collection is your fave? Have YOU been thrifting lately? What’d you get?

Enjoy the pics and be sure to enter my current holiday giveaway HERE! Be blessed and be safe!

~Whitney

PS Speaking of thrifting, check out my latest post HERE on Eye Spy Fashion’sblog! I thrifted 2 outfits for under $30, head to toe!

Happy Monday!!! It’s officially the holiday season; let the parties and festivities begin!! I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was super busy but super fun. Anytime I can spend a full weekend with my family and my babe, all is right in my little world 😉

I started the weekend of attending a fashion show in Silver Spring, MD. I opted for an all black ensemble, with touches of gold. Both pieces are thrifted and the sweater is one of my favorite thrifted pieces, ever. I love the vintage feel and the shape of the sweater. It’s perfect because sometimes I don’t like to wear heavy coats in the winter, although I should. So I often times go for a chunky sweater and a scarf. This vintage sweater is heavy enough to keep me warm and fabulous enough for me to wear as a coat/cover up.

Sweater: ThriftedDress: ThriftedPurse: GiftedFlats: Enzo Angiolini

Saturday, I attended my mother’s Christmas party. The event was held at the Candlelight Inn in Catonsville, MD and the food was AWESOME!! The company was even better. Because my mother runs our family business, I was very familiar with all of the attendees so it felt like one big happy family! That night, I wore all black yet again. The dress is a recent find and it was $5.00. Now of course like most women, I have SO MANY black dresses hanging in my closet. But I feel like a lady can never have too many LBD’s 😉

To wrap up the weekend, the family and I headed to Baltimore for the Mayor’s 40th Annual Christmas Parade. My little sister and her fellow Sister-Queens were apart of the parade. They rode on the back of the pick up truck we decorated and waved to the crowd as the parade went all the way down Falls Road. It was really a good time and it was so nice seeing the community join together to watch the parade. The street was packed with people of all ages. Below are some pics I was able to snap before the parade began.

All in all, my weekend was superb. Had the Ravens won it would’ve been even better but hey, we can’t always get everything we want 😉 Have a great day and until next time, be blessed!

Hey, friends! As you all know I am a HUGE thrifter and I’m always excited to see what other people thrift! Well today, I’m featuring my blog buddy and good friend Ashley (FabEllis). She has a GREAT sense of style and knows how to find a good deal. That’s my kinda girl 😉 Check out her feature below!

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FabEllis: If you know me, you know that I’m not only a fan of encouraging women to embrace their natural hair, but of finding affordable pieces for my wardrobe. One of my favorite places to shop for great pieces is the thrift store. Thrift stores not only offer items for a fraction of a department stores’ price, but high quality, unique items as well.

One of the main reasons I love thrifting is that I can find pieces that no one else may own in my city and pieces that really stand out and make a statement. Plus, if you are a working woman on a budget, the thrift store is the perfect place for you. From blazers to dresses, I have found many of my current work attire from thrifting.

Below are some of my favorite thrift finds!

Red, Cropped Blazer

Would you believe me if I told you I paid $1.50 for this blazer? You may not, but I promise it’s the truth! I found this cropped blazer in a small thrift store in my hometown and immediately fell in love. I love the bright color and the endless possibilities of it.

Printed Dress

Value Village is my favorite thrift store in the world! While shopping in Charlotte, NC last year, I found this dress for $3. Even though this dress has a vintage feel, I love the print and accentuating my waist with this belt I also thrifted for around $1.

Pink Business Blazer

It seems as if I always find my best pieces when I’m visiting another city! This blazer was an item I found in a Charlotte, NC Goodwill for under $5. I love this blazer because it’s bright, but also professional enough to be worn to work. I decided to pair it with a harem pants I found on clearance for $10.

These three pieces are all great finds. If you want a few tips on thrifting, read these great thrifting tips Whitney provided here. To keep up with me and to read more about my natural hair and thrifting adventures, you can find me online!

If you asked me 2 years ago (or even last year) if I would be caught wearing certain clothes or certain colors I’d probably laugh in your face. No way! As I’ve said on this blog before, I am more partial to the blacks and browns when it comes to clothes. However since I’ve been blogging, I’ve stepped outside of my “style” comfort zone and tried different colors, styles and patterns.

I have to say, I am LOVING the way I look AND feel in dresses these days. Especially dresses that hug my curves the right way 😉 I’m beginning to see that certain colors and styles do indeed compliment me! It has taken me awhile to find what works for me when it comes to clothes. I often look at other bloggers and say, “that looks cute on her but on me, I probably wouldn’t like it”. Well, I’ve started trying on more things and just going for it. I mean really, what’s the worst someone can say? They don’t like what you have on? Okay, good for them. If I like it, that’s what matters.

This dress I’m wearing is an example of me stepping outside of my style comfort zone. I thrifted this dress last month and it has been sitting in my closet since then. When I tried it on in the store, it looked ok. I talked myslef into getting it because it was like $4 and it was something I wouldn’t normally buy or wear. Quick style tip: Thrifting items that are trendy or items that you want to “try out” is smart. Think about it: you’re not spending a lot of money on an outfit that may or may not work out for you. I went back and forth on how to wear it and when to wear it. I decided to put it on and snap a few pics to see how the finished product looked, lol. Once I added the heels and accessories, I was VERY pleased with what I saw in the mirror. I loved it! Stepping outside of my comfort zone worked, this time…LOL!

So the next time you see something while shopping that you’re not sure about, hop in the dressing room and try it on. Or be bold and just purchase it. Force yourself to wear it and see how good it feels. You just may be surprised. Stepping outside of your style comfort zone is the only way you will learn what looks good on your body.

Dress: Thrifted ($4.90)Shoes: Ellen TracyJewelry: Bakers

What are some trends, colors or styles that you’ve been dying to try but aren’t so sure will look work for you? Have you thrifted some trends and tried them out? Let me know. I’d LOVE to hear.

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending theGreater Washington’s Goodwill Fashion Show at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C. I went to the event with Vivy, the blogger behind Heart, Print & Style, and she and I had the best conversation(s) on the way there and on the way back. Every time I hang with her, it’s a good-time. Although we got caught in the rain after the event, we had a ball!!

Now those of you who know me, know that I’m a huge thrifter and a Goodwill lover. Needless to say, this event was everything for me! I contemplated between an all black dress and the one I wore below. In the end, I went with the beige/nude dress with the embellished neckline. I saw the dress while I was shopping in Ross one day. At the time, I didn’t have a place to wear it but I knew eventually, it was going to be worn. Thanks to my mom, I was able to top off the look with a pair of nude Nine West pumps.

Thanks to Vivi for taking my individual shots 🙂

During the event, the runway was filled with fashions from the Goodwill (of course). There were a lot of looks that caught my eye, but below are some of my favorites. For some reason I was really feeling the red and pink looks that night. While my camera didn’t capture the greatest pictures, I was able to snap these looks.

The last look is being worn by the lovely CEO , Catherine Maloy. This vintage dress costs somewhere between $15-$19 and in person, it looked MUCH more expensive! I had a chance to meet and chat with her afterwards. She was such a sweetheart and her personality was super bubbly!

During the event, there were testimonials from Goodwill workers/employees. It was so nice to see and meet the workers; these individuals come from a range of backgrounds and have had their fair share of hard times. Seeing that Goodwill has provided them with a place to work and giving them an opportunity to get back on their feet touched my heart.

All in all, the event was a huge success. The food was GREAT, I enjoyed the fashions and I was happy to mingle with other bloggers. Enjoy the rest of the pics and have a great night. Be blessed!